plied Alla
ad Deen, "do not blame yourself, since it was entirely my fault,
for I ought to have taken more care of it. But let us now think
only of repairing the loss; tell me what has happened, and into
whose hands it has fallen."

The princess then related how she had changed the old lamp for a
new one, which she ordered to be fetched, that he might see it,
and how the next morning she found herself in the unknown country
they were then in, which she was told was Africa, by the traitor,
who had transported her thither by his magic art.

"Princess," said Alla ad Deen, interrupting her, "you have
informed me who the traitor is, by telling me we are in Africa.
He is the most perfidious of men; but this is neither a time nor
place to give you a full account of his villainies. I desire you
only to tell me what he has done with the lamp, and where he has
put it?" "He carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom," said
the princess; "and this I can assure you, because he pulled it
out before me, and shewed it to me in triumph."

"Princess," said Alla ad Deen, "do not be displeased that I
trouble you with so many questions, since they are equally
important to us both. But to come to what most particularly
concerns me; tell me, I conjure you, how so wicked and perfidious
a man treats you?" "Since I have been here," replied the
princess, "he repairs once every day to see me; and I am
persuaded the little satisfaction he receives from his visits
makes him come no oftener. All his addresses tend to persuade me
to break that faith I have pledged to you, and to take him for my
husband; giving me to understand, I need not entertain hopes of
ever seeing you again, for that you were dead, having had your
head struck off by the sultan my father's order. He added, to
justify himself, that you were an ungrateful wretch; that your
good fortune was owing to him, and a great many other things of
that nature which I forbear to repeat: but as he received no
other answer from me but grievous complaints and tears, he was
always forced to retire with as little satisfaction as he came. I
doubt not his intention is to allow me time to overcome my grief,
in hopes that afterwards I may change my sentiments; and if I
persevere in an obstinate refusal, to use violence. But my dear
husband's presence removes all my apprehensions."

"I am confident my attempts to punish the magician will not be in
vain," replied Alla ad Deen, "since my princess's